Jeremy Casson attended one of the top art conservation courses in the UK, having developed his passion for restoring works of art while studying at university. Prior to launching his own art conservation practice where he mentors other conservators, Mr Casson worked at several world-renowned art institutions. This article will explore the relationship between art and architecture and their combined propensity to create synergy and beauty in the built world.
The lines between art and architecture are often blurred, with the relationship between the two realms transcending time and space. One of the world’s oldest relationships, both art and architecture share one key premise in common: visually communicating a complex mixture of thoughts.
The intersection between art and architecture has been explored numerous times across the centuries, with the two fields sharing many aspects in common. Architecture is not only regarded as an art but as the ultimate art form to many, with the design of a structure requiring a mastery of many disciplines, including steps of an intrinsically artistic nature.
Art and architecture share a deep connection that resonates with authenticity. Defined as the process of creating buildings, including both functional and aesthetic components, architecture brings together professionals from various different disciplines to craft a masterplan, synergising input of building materials and logistical design processes to achieve the final outcome. Art, on the other hand, is a medium for visual representation of beauty, abstract concepts and technical aspects that depict imaginative and creative essence. Art has the capacity to transform the mundane into the sublime, covering everything from architecture to sculpture and paintings and even the digital creations that are proving so popular today.
Whereas art can be abstract without the need to adhere to rigorous rules, architecture needs certain practical forces behind it to achieve a three-dimensional physical construct. While art presents scope to break the norms, allowing for creative freedom, architecture must conform to certain rules, chief among them ‘form follows function.’ The onus is firmly upon architects to consider the purpose and function of the building as the primary staring point of its design, with everything else a secondary consideration.
In reality, the built structure is no longer a machine, with art increasingly being leveraged in architecture to shape the emotions of building users through integration of artistic expressions to create a sense of community and comfort. Since the 20th century, when the avant-garde style came to the fore, architects have been embracing art in building design, adding and integrating art.
The defining principle behind modern architecture is artistic merit, which determines the architect’s impact. In the process of creating beautiful and harmonious environments, construction of buildings is an essential element. Similarly, art is integral to architecture, determining its foundational essence. Over the course of thousands of years, buildings and spaces have been transformed through the inclusion of art, culminating in beautiful, awe-inspiring or spiritually uplifting spaces, depending on the architect’s intention.
The relationship between art and architecture is one that transcends the sum of its parts. However, in some instances, fusion of the two fields can go catastrophically wrong. Achieving the right balance is, after all, an art form in itself. The architect must demonstrate creative talent and skill to predict the end result and how the construct will be interpreted.
Art requires an appropriate built environment capable of showcasing it to its best effect. Simultaneously, architecture needs art to translate concrete, bricks and steel into spaces where people want to live, work, shop and learn. Integration of art in architecture therefore needs to be implemented with a light touch, creativity and vision. Artists and architects must have the knowledge, creativity and experience to know precisely how and where to blend architecture and art in a way that creates synthesis, creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and commercially successful – an aptitude that requires considerable skill and meticulous planning.
